Analysis of theJuniperus oxycedrusL. communities in the centre and south of the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal)

The survey deals with juniper groves of Juniperus oxycedrus, i. e. the edaphoxerophilous communities dominated by J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus and J. oxycedrus subsp. lagunae in the centre and south of the Iberian Peninsula. The study of the vegetation has been carried out using the phytosociological method, complemented by a multivariate analysis to statistically process both bibliographical and field relevés. As a result, a new phytosociological alliance (Juniperion oxycedro-lagunae) encompassing four new associations (Pistacio terebinthi—Juniperetum lagunae, Stipo tenacissimae—Juniperetum lagunae, Echinosparto iberici—Juniperetum lagunae and Cytiso eriocarpi—Juniperetum lagunae) and the community of Phlomis purpurea and J. oxycedrus subsp. lagunae is proposed. These juniper groves are plant formations of general interest for the European Union and exhibit interesting endemic flora and vegetation.